John Benjamin was born in England in 1823. In 1849, at the age of 26, he immigrated to America with the goal of seeking opportunities in the new world and improving the life of his family. During his immigration and eventual settlement in Hutchinson, Minnesota, John saved many personal letters that were written by and to him. These letters, the subject of this web site, bring to life his immigration and the life of others during this courageous adventure. The most recent letters posted on this sight are on this front page. To see all the earlier letters, keep pressing the “Older Posts” button on the bottom of this page. The earliest letter recorded here is June 20, 1849. The letters…………









May 5,1857 Elizabeth Benjamin to John Benjamin-1823

Belvidere, May 5, 1857
Dear John,
I wrote to have you come home yesterday and I waited until up past one this morning thinking you would come home.  Oh! do come as soon as you can after you get this for if you don’t I shall have to give up, for I have done all in my power for the children and they are sick I tell you, vomiting night and day and Sissy is burning up with fever all the time .  Do what I will, the Scarlet fever is around but Oh! I hope she has not got that.   Baby seems a little better this morning but little.   Oh! how sick he was yesterday, the little dear.  It must kill him to vomit, he vomits so hard he is on my knee all the time.  Sis keeps asking when Pa will be at home.  She asked many times last night.  Oh! says she, Pa is wicked not to come, but I told her that perhaps you did not get the letter.  Oh! come if it is only to relieve me a little, for I have not had any sleep this three nights.  So you may think I am pretty much ___ up.
Bring one or two oranges if you can or figs instead.
I remain your ever fond wife,
Elizabeth


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